Flooding closes major roads in Coachella Valley

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) - Runoff from heavy rains was flowing into the Coachella Valley’s washes today, flooding several roads where they dip through flood control channels.

In Palm Springs, four major roads in Palm Springs remained closed at their dips through Palm Canyon Wash today. Indian Canyon Drive, Gene Autry Trail, Vista Chino and Araby Road were still closed where they cross the wash in bridgeless crossings, Palm Springs Fire Battalion Chief David Rees said.

But Golf Club Drive was reopened today, he said.

In Indio, water was flowing in the normally-dry Whitewater River flood control channel, according to a remote sensor.

Roads that dip through the channel in Bermuda Dunes, Cathedral City and Indio could flood, the NWS warned.

Forecasters issued a flash flood warning today and reported that heavy rainfall over the Whitewater River’s drainage area is expected to flood its normally-dry storm channel tonight and lead to the flooding of bridgeless crossings throughout the Coachella Valley.

Gusty south to southwest winds was also expected to blow across Southern California until 6 p.m. and into the Riverside County valleys. Areas of 15 to 25 mph south winds with gusts measuring 35 mph was predicted, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego.

A low pressure system in the Pacific along the central California coast was expected to weaken and move inland tonight across Southern California, bringing two to four inches of rainfall to the Riverside County mountains, the NWS reported.